Schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore will be shut on Monday, 2 December, following heavy rains. Chennai has been receiving heavy rains since Saturday morning and the meteorological department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall through the coming week.
Chennai has received 9cm rain in 34 hours since Saturday 8pm.
"Due to low atmospheric pressure, there will be heavy and moderate rain in Chennai and widespread rain in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, due to a cyclonic circulation near Comorin on the Indian Ocean," an India Meteorological Department official said.
17 Feared Dead as Compound Wall Collapses
Popular weatherman, Pradeep John had tweeted that Coonoor-Mettupalayam received heavy rains, as much as 180 mm on Sunday.
At least 17 people lost their lives after a compound wall collapsed and damaged three houses in Nadoor Kannappan Layout in Mettupalayam on Monday morning. There have been three deaths reported so far in rain-related incidents.
Chennai's Reservoirs, Bhavani Sagar Dam Fills Up
A flood alert has been issued to people living on the banks of river Bhavani in Erode, Tamil Nadu. The water level in the Lower Bhavani Project reservoir reached its maximum of 105 feet and the storage crossed 32 tmc feet against maximum of 32.8 tmc ft.
Waterlogging has been reported in several pockets in Chennai, especially suburban areas like Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, Velachery.
Tamil Nadu weatherperson, Pradeep John, tweeted about how water reservoirs in the city have filled up and this means they won't have a water crisis in summer.
The combined storage of five lakes as of today is 5,200 mcft, while the safe target expected to be attained by 31 December is 6,500-7,000 mcft.
Chennai Corporation Launches Helpline
To rehabilitate those affected by incessant rains, the state government has set up a 24x7 helpline for reporting waterlogging and trees falling.
Residents can dial 04425384520 and 04425384530 or Whatsapp 9445477205 for any rain-related complaints.
In Chennai, the state government has set up 176 relief centres, over 600 water pumps ready for waterlogged low-lying areas and boats ready at 109 places to rescue people during flooding.
176 community halls and four common halls, to cook for 1,500 people have also been readied. Forty-four medical teams in 52 places have also been arranged. In addition, 130 generators and 371 chainsaws to fell trees are kept ready.
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